Have an imageIn PR there is the expression, "There is no such thing as bad press."
Along those lines, I would argue that it's better to have some image, even if it's a bad image, than no image at all.
Every successful artist or band has an image. Some are contrived, some are their own. But they all exist.
Compare photos of U2 to Green Day to Coldplay to Weezer to Carrie Underwood to Metallica to Jewel to Shania Twain to 50 Cent to My Chemical Romance.
Anyone can get up there and play a show in jeans and t-shirt. But that's really the equivalent of eating meatloaf every night for dinner. It's boring! And who wants that? After all, if you went to see your favorite artist perform and they were wearing exactly what you were wearing, wouldn't that be boring?
As a performer, your goal is to connect with your audience. And tap into something special.
Watch old concert footage of Bowie and wow - what amazing costumes and hair he had! Not to mention his stage persona.
Tap into something special. That's why Christian groups have such a huge, devoted following. They've tapped into that one thing they have in common with their fans - God and religion.
It's why artists like Morrissey, The Cure and Depeche Mode had so many fans in the 80s - and still have a following today. They had songs, and an image, that kids could relate to. Feeling isolated or lonely. Being the outcast. And who hasn't felt that way at one time or another? There are entire cultures that revolve around music like this and today's examples are bands like My Chemical Romance. The goth image works.
And sure, you remember high school when you could almost figure out which kid in which clique liked which band. In my high school, for example, the smokers out back who wore all black, leather and chains liked punk rock like the Clash and Sex Pistols. Surprise surprise. And the stoners liked the Grateful Dead and Phish. And the "popular" kids liked U2. (Well, everyone liked U2...)
Whatever it may be, know that record companies hire stylists and TEAMS of fashion experts to remake and market their artists (hair, make-up, clothes). Labels are EXPERTS at marketing their artists. In making the general public believe that stars are born and not made. My God, I've worked at labels and heard the head of RADIO PROMOTION (?) lamenting over the artist's shoes. Yes, the radio promotion guy caring about the artist's SHOES! So, if major labels are overthinking a band's image, you probably aren't thinking about it enough.
And if you're not into style and fashion (I certainly am not), find someone who is. Your wife, sister, next door neighbor or best friend. Have them take you shopping.
Image, in my opinion, should just be an exaggerated version of yourself. There is a reason why most artists wear "stage clothes" and are extremely confident on stage; then off stage, can be humble and shy.
Have you ever found the perfect jacket or shirt that makes you feel great? So great that you walk around all day with your head held high, saying to yourself "I feel good?" Of course you do. Well, find that item, wear it on stage and project confidence and an image that your fans can relate to.
Everyone has their signature item. Look at Bono and his sunglasses. Or the number of artists that use hats as part of their image - Elton John, Fall Out Boy, Gavin DeGraw, to name just a few. Don't even get me started on make-up and outfits used by artists like Marilyn Manson and Kiss.
Eyeliner? Just about every punk rock band. Look at the Killers and their image.
Suits? Look at the Beatles, The Click Five, The Killers, etc.
I remember having a conversation with someone who worked with John Mayer when he was starting out. And I said, "but John Mayer doesn't have an image. He just wears jeans and looks like your average J Crew / college guy." The reply was "those are $200 jeans and that image is VERY carefully put together and thought out." So, if even John flipping Mayer has an IMAGE that is "put together" or contrived (look at him), then my God, so should you!